Friday, November 4, 2011

When it comes to holiday shopping lists, it's hard to find one that doesn't include toys. After all, kids can only take so many years of receiving a new sweater or a package of socks, right?

And when it comes to searching for quality toys that are designed to be original and imaginative, yet simple and open-ended, one of the sites that immediately comes to mind is Magic Cabin. With all of their unique, well-made, just-so-fun items to choose from, I often feel as though I could spend days looking through the whole collection.

Even better, they have recently introduced a new Holiday Catalog that clearly lays out gift ideas for everything from adventures in active play to imaginative dress up to exploring with art supplies. I don't think it's possible to not have fun with such a variety of amazing toys and games - this site has it all!

Focusing on the notion that children's lives are enriched by ample time for unrestrictive, creative, imaginative play, Magic Cabin believes in letting children lead the way when it comes to entertainment. With a combination of make believe and simple, natural toys and crafts, they look to fill childhood with toys that are beautiful and enchanting, sturdy and safe, and, of course, fun.

We have yet to be even the slightest bit disappointed in the great items that we have received from Magic Cabin in the past so when the Under The Sea Hideaway arrived, it already had extremely high standards to meet.

A 7' tall, marine-blue "underwater" lagoon, as soon as I saw the Under The Sea Hideaway I knew that it was going to be the source of an endless line of imaginative adventures for my girls. From the gauzy fabric to the colorful fabric "seaweed" ring to the 14 soft removable velour sea creatures dangling down, I had no doubt where my kids were going to be hanging out for quite some time to come.

Sure enough, Big Sister E caught a glimpse of the convenient plastic carrying case that the Under The Sea Hideaway arrived in and came over to take a look. Seeing the picture of what was inside, she nearly jumped for joy while begging that it be hung up immediately.

Pulling out the blue Hideaway, right away I could see that the setup process was going to be very straightforward. The long, sturdy ties at the center top would easily be able to hang on a ceiling hook inside in a playroom or over a bed, or, in warm weather, tie them securely over a tree branch outside to create an outdoor space to dream and play.

Taking a quick look at the easy-to-follow instructions, it took only a minute to lay out the seaweed ring on top of the Hideaway, position it correctly, and use the provided ties to attach it right on.

As Little Sister B was already enamored with many of the included plush sea creatures...

This is only a small number of the cute stuffed animals that came to be hung on the Hideaway!

...I let her continue to pretend to swim around the floor with them while I hung the Hideaway. With a strong hook or two in the ceiling, soon I was able to step back and see the incredibly fun underwater scene that had appeared!

Magic Cabin made it easy to use the provided ties on the front panels to hold them place for an opening as well as the Velcro tipped ribbons and locations to attach the fish, starfish, seahorses, and more. They really completed the look!

From that moment, the girls have spent an endless amount of time launching underwater imaginative adventures in the Under The Sea Hideaway. Whether they're pretending to be mermaids or simply hanging out relaxing or reading a book, this lagoon provides a place that they can sit and be alone...

...or together.

I appreciate that the instructions include a portion on how to fold and pack the Hideaway back into its carrying case... although I don't see us doing that anytime soon. Both girls love having this new addition to their playroom and the only way that I can foresee us moving it is if it is transferred to one of their bedrooms. Although in that case we would need a second one... the Silk Fairy Bower, perhaps?

Designed for ages 4 and up, the Under The Sea Hideaway retails for $64.98 and fits right in line with Magic Cabin's selection of innovative and high quality items. Their easy-to-browse website gives you plenty of options of unique and fun toys and games for all ages and their collection of Magic Cabin Exclusives are an especially great line that you won't find anywhere else... but are sure to thrill the child on your list this holiday season like nowhere else can.

Combine all of that with their friendly, reliable service and 100% satisfaction guaranteefor life and it is easy to see why Magic Cabin customers return year after year for more. And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to choose their own favorite toy to surprise the child in their life as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to Magic Cabin!

To enter to win: Visit Magic Cabin and tell me another of their fun and innovative products that you (or your child) would like to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over and enter the HearthSong giveaway at A Nut in a Nutshell!1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Magic Cabin on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook, and/or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.2 Extra Entries if you have our Holiday Gift Guide button posted on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on November 24th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Magic Cabin for providing an Under the Sea Hideaway for me to review as well as a $50 gift certificate as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

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comments:

So many of their items are on our wishlists for the holidays! The Forest Friends Hopscotch Rug is on my kids' wishlist for Christmas, and the Large Discovery Box and Doorway Puppet Theater are on my dream wishlist for the kids. We're also wishing for the Healthy Gourmet Salad and Pita Pocket sets. Love Magic Cabin!